Traffic signal hanger

ABSTRACT

A traffic signal hanger which is assembled to provide an elbow member and two distinct hanger brackets. The first hanger bracket is pivotably mounted with respect to the elbow member about a first axis extending parallel to the axis on which the elbow member is mounted on a support arm of a traffic signal standard. The second hanger bracket is pivotably mounted on the first hanger bracket member for movement about a second generally horizontal axis disposed at right angles to the first horizontal axis whereby a traffic signal housing suspended from the second hanger bracket may be vertically oriented with respect to the second horizontal axis. According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the second hanger bracket member has a conduit shaped lower end with a longitudinally extending recess formed therein. A locking washer is mounted on the lower end of the conduit member and has a locking tab projecting into the locking recess to prevent rotation of the locking washer with respect to the lower end of the first hanger. A locking washer is also formed to provide a plurality of ridges which engage the housing of the traffic signal and lock nuts are provided for clamping the traffic signal housing to the lower end of the first hanger bracket in locking engagement with the locking washer.

United States Patent 1191 Hawley et al.

1 TRAFFIC SIGNAL HANGER 175] inventors: William L. Hawley, Rexdale;

Terence E. Lewis, Mississauga. both of Canada [73] Assignee: GTEInternational Incorporated,

Stamford, Conn.

221 Filed: Oct. 4, 1974 21 Appl. No.1 511,992

130] Foreign Application Priority Data Mar. 19,1974 Canada 195416 [52]US. Cl. 248/317; 248/324; 403/58; 248/278; 240/78 R [51 Int. Cl. B42F13/00 [58] Field of Search 248/317, 323, 324, 325,

248/341, 278, 280, 340, 341; 403/58, 74, 111, 112, 205; 240/81 R, 85 B,85 C, 85 D, 73 R, 73 BV, 78 R, 78 F, 78 D; 340/84 R, 74, 127, 128, 129,130

l 56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,770,272 7/1931) Horni248/317 2,362,383 11/1944 Lcndinara 4031/58 2,925,458 2/1960 Lester ,1240/78 R 3,077,328 2/1963 Nelson 1 248/317 3,420,581 1/1969 Richardson 11 403/58 3,778,860 12/1973 Thielcn 403/58 3,808,504 4/1974 Rabie 340/841 June 24, 1975 Primary E.raminerRoy D. Frazier AssistantExaminer-Robert A. Hafer Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Ralph W. Burnett;Theodore C. Jay, Jr.

[57} ABSTRACT A trafiic signal hanger which is assembled to provide anelbow member and two distinct hanger brackets. The first hanger bracketis pivotably mounted with respect to the elbow member about a first axisextending parallel to the axis on which the elbow member is mounted on asupport arm of a traffic signal standard. The second hanger bracket ispivotably mounted on the first hanger bracket member for movement abouta second generally horizontal axis disposed at right angles to the firsthorizontal axis whereby a traffic signal housing suspended from thesecond hanger bracket may be vertically oriented with respect to thesecond horizontal axis.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the secondhanger bracket member has a conduit shaped lower end with alongitudinally extending recess formed therein. A locking washer ismounted on the lower end of the conduit member and has a locking tabprojecting into the locking recess to prevent rotation of the lockingwasher with respect to the lower end of the first hanger. A lockingwasher is also formed to provide a plurality of ridges which engage thehousing of the traffic signal and lock nuts are provided for clampingthe traffic signal housing to the lower end of the first hanger bracketin locking engagement with the locking washer.

3 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures immmliag PATENTEDJUN24 ms SHEET 2 5 7 82 Dx/ c- D 78 5 FIG. 5

FIG. 4

1 TRAFFIC SIGNAL HANGER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This inventionrelates to a traffic signal hanger. In particular, this inventionrelates to a traffic signal hanger which facilitates the verticalalignment ofa traffic signal which the hanger suspends from a supportarm of a traffic signal standard.

Traffic signal hangers have previously been in the form of an elbowshaped member connected to the support arm of a traffic signal andadapted to provide limited pivoting of the signal about an axisextending parallel to the axis of the support arm. Difficulty has beenexperienced in providing adjusting means which will permit the trafficsignal to be vertically oriented. In previous attempts to provide thistype of adjustment, the passageway formed in one arm of the elbow memberof the hanger was sufficiently larger in diameter than the support armof the traffic signal standard on which it was to be mounted to permitthe vertical alignment of the traffic signal by means of jacking screws.This system has proved to be troublesome in that it is difficult toachieve the required vertical alignment by means of the jacking screwsand the oversize elbow arms. Furthermore, this type of mounting is notcapable of providing an adjustment over a wide range and in previousapplications, the range of adjustment has been limited to the order of 2on either side of the vertical.

Difficulty has also been experienced in attempting to mount a trafficsignal housing on a hanger in a manner such that rotation of the signalhousing with respect to the hanger under the influence of strong windswill be prevented. It is vitally important to ensure that a trafficsignal is not free to rotate under the influence of strong wind, as anymisalignment of the traffic signal could result in misdirection oftraffic which could cause a serious traffic accident.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A traffic signal hanger according to thepresent invention permits vertical suspension and alignment of a trafficsignal housing from and with respect to a lamp standard. The hanger alsopermits limited transverse deflection of the signal housing with respectto the arm on which the hanger member is mounted while preventingrotational movement of the traffic signal housing with respect to thesignal hanger.

The traffic signal hanger comprises an elbow member, a first hangerbracket member pivotably mounted on the elbow member and a second hangerbracket pivotably mounted on the first hanger bracket. The elbow memberhas a passage extending therethrough. one end of which is adapted toreceive a support arm of a traffic signal to support the elbow membertherefrom. The first hanger bracket means is pivotably mounted on theelbow for movement about a first generally horizontal axis and has aportion projecting downwardly from the elbow member. Return spring meansare provided for reaction between the elbow member and the first hangermember to resist rotation of the first hanger member with respect to theelbow member.

The second hanger bracket is pivotably mounted on the first hangerbracket for movement about a second generally horizontal axis disposedat right angles to the axis of the pivot connection between the elbowmem ber and the first hanger bracket. Releasable locking means isprovided for locking the second hanger bracket against rotation withrespect to the first hanger bracket in a predetermined position, andmounting means is provided at the lower end of the second hanger bracketfor securing a traffic signal housing thereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings illustratethe invention and by way of example, show a preferred embodiment. Insuch drawings:

FIG. I is a front view of a traffic signal suspended from a support armof a traffic signal standard by means of a traffic signal hangeraccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 illustrating the traf fic signalvertically suspended from a support arm which is not horizontallydisposed;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a traffic signal hanger according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view of an assembled traffic signal hangeraccording to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a partially sectioned end view ofa traffic signal hanger takenalong the line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference to thedrawings, the reference numeral l0 refers generally to a traffic signalhanger according to an embodiment of the present invention. The hanger10 consists of an elbow member 12. a first hanger bracket 14 and asecond hanger bracket I6. A traffic signal housing 18 is suspended fromthe lower end of the second hanger 16 as will be described hereinafter.The elbow member 12 is mounted on the support arm 20 of a traffic signalstandard.

With reference to FIG. 3 of the drawings, it will be seen that the elbowmember 12 has a removable cover plate 13 at one end thereof. The cover13 has a lip 22 extending about the inner edge thereof which is adaptedto fit in a groove 24 formed in a flange 26 so that the cover 13 may belowered into a position engaging a main body portion 15 of the elbowmember 12 to be secured in position by means of set screws 28 whichengage threaded passages 30 in the main body of the elbow member. Themain body 15 of the housing has a tubular portion 32 at one end thereofwhich is adapted to receive the support arm 20 in a close fittingrelationship. Clamping screws 34 serve to rigidly secure the main bodyportion 15 with respect to the support arm 20. The clamping screws 34are not intended to be used to effect any adjustment in the alignment ofthe main body portion IS with respect to the support arm The main bodyportion 15 also has downwardly extending walls 36, 38, 42 and 44 whichcooperate with one another to define a chamber for receiving a pair ofrestoring springs 46. A nylon bushing or sleeve 47 is adapted to passthrough passages 50, 52 formed in two of the chamber walls 36, 38respectively and a pivot pin 48 is adapted to fit within the sleeve 47.The pivot pin 48 has an enlarged head portion 54 which will not passthrough the passage 50.

The first hanger bracket 14 has a passage formed in the upper endthereof adapted to be slidably mounted on the sleeve 47 which acts as abushing and which does not require lubrication. The pivot pin 48 has agroove 56 adapted to receive a snap ring 58 during assembly to axiallysecure the bushing 47 and pin 48 within the restoring spring chamber.

The first hanger bracket 14 also has shoulders 62 which engage the lowerends of the restoring springs 46 when the first hanger bracket isoperably located on the sleeve 47. As shown in FIG. of the drawings. therestoring spring chamber formed in the housing member has upper walls 45which engage the upper ends of the springs 46.

From the foregoing and from further reference to FIG. 5. it will beapparent that the first hanger bracket 14 may be rotated to and fro inthe direction of the arrows A about a first horizontal axis 64 which isthe axis ofits supporting pivot pin 48. In use. pivoting about the axis64 permits the signal to yield slightly under the influence of a heavywind or the like without permitting any rotation of the hanger withrespect to the support arm 20. The springs 46 serve to restore thetraffic signal housing to a vertical position after the deflecting forcehas been removed.

The first support bracket 14 has a portion 66 extending downwardlytherefrom in which is formed a square passage 68 adjacent the upper endthereof and a circular passage 70 adjacent the lower end thereof.

The second hanger bracket 16 consists of an elon' gated Z-shaped conduitportion 72 and a laterally extending flange portion 74. The upper end 76of the conduit portion 72 is adapted to fit within the open lower end ofthe elbow member 15. The upper end 76 of the conduit member 72 isproportioned so as to fit freely within the open end of the elbow member15 so that it is free to move relative to the elbow member 15 of thepivot pin 48 about the axis and about a second axis normal to the axisof the pivot pin 48 which will be described hereinafter. The lower end78 of the conduit member 72 is threaded and has a longitudinallyextending key slot 80 formed therein.

The flange portion 74 is secured to and projects from the upper portion76 of the conduit into the vertical plane of the lower portion 78. Afirst circular passage 80 is formed in the upper end of the flange 74and an elongated slot 82 is formed toward the lower end of the flange74. The passages 80 and 82 of the second hanger bracket 72 are alignablewith the previously described passages 68 and 70 respectively of thefirst hanger bracket 14. A pivot pin 86 having a square end 88 and anenlarged head 90 is adapted to pivotably secure the second hangerbracket 16 with respect to the first hanger bracket 14. The square end88 of the pin 86 fits within the square passage 68 of the first bracketto prevent rotation of the pivot pin. A pair of lock nuts 92 threadablyengage the threaded end 94 of the pivot pin after it passes through thepassage 80 in the flange 74 of the second bracket. The second hangerbracket is supported by the pivot pin 86 so as to be free to pivot abouta second horizontal axis 96 in the direction of the arrow B (FIG. 4). Alocking pin 98 is adapted to pass through the slot 82 in the secondbracket flange 74 and the passage 70 in the first bracket to be securedby means of locking nuts 102 which serve to rigidly secure the secondhanger 16 against pivoting action about the axis 96 with respect to thefirst hanger member 14. As shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings, the slot 82is formed so as to permit an angular deflection in the amount of 7 inthe direction of the arrows C and an angular deflection in the amount ofabout 4 in the direction of the arrows Di Generally, the arms of trafficsignal standards are given a slight upward inclination in their initialfabrication so that when the traffic signal housing is suspendedtherefrom, the arms will not droop. In order to ensure that the hangermember of the present invention may permit the signal to be verticallysuspended from a support arm 20 which has a slight upward inclination.the hanger is adapted to permit a greater amount of adjustment in thedirection compensating for the upward inclination than in the directioncompensating for a downward inclination of the arm. We have found thatthe provision of an adjustment of the order of 7 to compensate forupward inclination and of the order of 4 compensate for downwardinclination is sufficient for most traffic signal standards.

In order to prevent rotation of the traffic signal housing with respectto the lower end of the second hanger 16, there is provided a washer 104which is adapted to fit over the threaded lower end 78 of the secondhanger bracket 72. The washer 104 has a lug 106 projecting inwardlytherefrom which is adapted to fit in a close fitting slidingrelationship within the slot formed in the lower end ofthe second hangerbracket 16. The washer 104 also has a plurality of radially extendingserrations 108. In use, a lock nut 110 is threaded onto the lower end ofthe second hanger bracket member 16, followed by washer 104. The lowerend of the second hanger bracket 16 is then located within a mountingopening formed in the upper end of the housing 18. A neophrene washer114 is then located on the lower end 78 and a second lock nut 112 isthreaded onto the lower end 78 of the second hanger bracket 16 until itis elevated above passages 116 formed in the lower end. A cotter pin 118is then located in the passages 116 and deformed to be secured withrespect to the hanger bracket 16. The out 112 is then tightened towardthe cotter pin 118 and thereafter the nut 110 is tightened toward thenut 112 to compress the components located therebetween into engagementwith one another. By tightening the nut 110 toward the nut 112, thelocking washer 104 is forced into engagement with the upper wall of thehousing 18 so that the serrations 108 engage the upper wall of thehousing and serve to pre vent relative rotation of the housing 18 withrespect to the washer 104. As previously indicated, rotation of thewasher 104 with respect to the lower end of the second hanger bracket 16is prevented by means of the lug 106 which extends into the slot 80formed in the lower end of the second hanger bracket. This assemblyserves to prevent rotation of the housing 18 with respect to thevertical axis of the lower end of the second hanger bracket.

In use, the traffic signal hanger is secured to the traffic signalhousing 18 as described above and thereafter it is mounted on thesupport arm 20. The clamping screws 34 are tightened onto the arm 20 tosecure the hanger with respect to the bracket. The lock nuts 102 arereleased to permit the second hanger bracket 16 to pivot freely aboutthe first hanger bracket 14. When the housing 18 is vertically oriented,the locking nuts 102 are tightened so as to securely locate the secondhanger bracket 16 with respect to the first hanger bracket 14. Inconditions of high wind or the like. the hanger brackets 14, 16 andsignal housing 18 may pivot about the axis 64 with the springs 46serving to resist the pivoting action and to restore the assembly to avertical position upon removal of the deflecting force.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the hanger bracket of thepresent invention provides a simple and effective mechanism capable ofsupporting the traffic signal housing in a position depending verticallyfrom the support arm of a traffic signal standard. These and otheradvantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled inthe art.

What we claim as our invention is: l. A traffic signal hangercomprising: an elbow member having passage means extending therethrough.said passage means having openings at the first and second ends of saidelbow member disposed substantially at right angles to one another, saidpassage means having a portion extending inwardly from said opening insaid first elbow member end and being adapted to receive a support armof a traffic signal standard whereby said elbow member may be mounted ona support arm of a traffic signal standard; first hanger bracket meanspivotably mounted on said elbow member for movement about a first generally horizontal axis, said first hanger bracket having a portionprojecting downwardly from said second end of said elbow member; returnspring means operatively positioned between said elbow member and saidfirst hanger member for interaction therebetwecn to resist rotation ofsaid first hanger member with respect to said elbow member about saidfirst generally horizontal axis and to return said first hanger bracketto its downwardly extending position with respect to said elbow memberfollowing deflection of said first hanger bracket means; second hangerbracket means pivotably mounted on said first hanger bracket means formovement about a second generally horizontal axis disposed at rightangles to said first generally horizontal axis, said second hangerbracket means having passage means opening therethrough, one end of saidpassage means of said second hanger bracket communicating with saidpassage means opening in said second end of said elbow member, the otherend of said passage means of said second hanger bracket being disposedbelow said first hanger bracket;

releasable locking means for locking said second hanger bracket againstrotation with respect to said first hanger bracket in a predeterminedposition; and

mounting means at said other end of said passage of said second hangerbracket means for securing a traffic signal housing thereto.

2. A traffic signal hanger as claimed in claim I wherein said first andsecond hanger brackets have body portions overlapping one another, saidfirst and second hanger brackets being pivotally mounted with respect toone another by means of pivot pin means extending through saidoverlapping portions thereof. locking passage means opening through saidoverlapping portions of said first and second hanger brackets, saidreleasable means extending through said locking passage means to effectlocking of said overlapping portions in fixed relationship, at least oneof said locking passage means consisting of an elongated slot wherebysaid second hanger bracket is free to pivot with respect to said firsthanger bracket when said locking pin means is released to verticallyorient a traffic signal suspended therefrom in use.

3. A traffic signal hanger as claimed in claim 1 wherein said secondhanger bracket means has a lower end in the form ofa threaded conduit,recess means extending longitudinally of the outer surface of saidconduit and opening at the lower end of said bracket, locking washermeans mounted on said conduit and having lug means projecting into saidrecess means for preventing rotational movement of said washer withrespect to said conduit means, and serrated means formed on said lockingwasher means to prevent rotational movement between said locking washermeans and a traffic signal housing engaged thereby and means forsecuring a traffic signal housing in clamping engagement with saidlocking washer means on said lower end of said second hanger bracketmeans.

1. A traffic signal hanger comprising: an elbow member having passagemeans extending therethrough, said passage means having openings at thefirst and second ends of said elbow member disposed substantially atright angles to one another, said passage means having a portionextending inwardly from said opening in said first elbow member end andbeing adapted to receive a support arm of a traffic signal standardwhereby said elbow member may be mounted on a support arm of a trafficsignal standard; first hanger bracket means pivotably mounted on saidelbow member for movement about a first generally horizontal axis, saidfirst hanger bracket having a portion projecting downwardly from saidsecond end of said elbow member; return spring means operativelypositioned between said elbow member and said first hanger member forinteraction therebetween to resist rotation of said first hanger memberwith respect to said elbow member about said first generally horizontalaxis and to return said first hanger bracket to its downwardly extendingposition with respect to said elbow member following deflection of saidfirst hanger bracket means; second hanger bracket means pivotablymounted on said first hanger bracket means for movement about a secondgenerally horizontal axis disposed at right angles to said firstgenerally horizontal axis, said second hanger bracket means havingpassage means opening therethrough, one end of said passage means ofsaid second hanger bracket communicating with said passage means openingin said second end of said elbow member, the other end of said passagemeans of said second hanger bracket being disposed below said firsthanger bracket; releasable locking means for locking said second hangerbracket against rotation with respect to said first hanger bracket in apredetermined position; and mounting means at said other end of saidpassage of said second hanger bracket means for securing a trafficsignal housing thereto.
 2. A traffic signal hanger as claimed in claim 1wherein said first and second hanger brackets have body portionsoverlapping one another, said first and second hanger brackets beingpivotally mounted with respect to one another by means of pivot pinmeans extending through said overlapping portions thereof, lockingpassage means opening through said overlapping portions of said firstand second hanger brackets, said releasable means extending through saidlocking passage means to effect locking of said overlapping portions infixed relationship, at least one of said locking passage meansconsisting of an elongated slot whereby said second hanger bracket isfree to pivot with respect to said first hanger bracket when saidlocking pin means is released to vertically orient a traffic signalsuspended therefrom in use.
 3. A traffic signal hanger as claimed inclaim 1 wherein said second hanger bracket means has a lower end in theform of a threaded conduit, recess means extending longitudinally of theouter surface of said conduit and opening at the lower end of saidbracket, locking washer means mounted on said conduit and having lugmeans projecting into said recess means for preventing rotationalmovement of said washer with respect to said conduit means, and serratedmeans formed on said locking washer means to prevent rotational movementbetween said locking washer means and a traffic signal housing engagedthereby and means for securing a traffic signal housing in clampingengagement with said locking washer means on said lower end of saidsecond hanger bracket means.